STEIGER-RODNEY

Rodney Stephen “Rod” Steiger was principally known as an American actor, noted for his portrayal of offbeat, often volatile, and crazed characters.  He has been cited as “one of Hollywood’s most charismatic and dynamic stars.”

Steiger was born April 14, 1924, in Westhampton, New York.  His parents were a traveling song-and-dance team who played in vaudeville theaters.  Steiger never knew his father as he separated from his wife early in Rodney’s life.  His mother had a good singing voice but after a leg surgery permanently impaired her walking ability, she gave up show business and turned to alcohol.  Thus, Rodney had a difficult childhood as his mother became an alcoholic. 

At the age of sixteen Rodney ran away, and claiming to be older, enlisted in the Navy on May 11, 1942.  Following recruit training, Rodney was assigned to the destroyer USS Taussig where he spent his time in the Navy until discharged in August 1945 at the conclusion of World War II.  Serving as a torpedoman, he saw service aboard Taussig at the Battle of Iwo Jima.  During a severe typhoon in December 1944 during which winds reached 115 mph and waves 80-feet, he reportedly lashed himself to the ship as waves engulfed the ship.  Following the war, Rodney used the GI Bill of Rights to pay for schooling.  Upon attending a drama class, he discovered a new path and appeared in numerous television rolls followed by numerous movie assignments.  His performance in the movie “Heat of the Night” won him the Academy Award for best actor.

Rodney suffered from depression throughout much of his life.  He underwent open-heart surgery in 1976 and 1979, struggled with obesity, and died on July 9, 2002, of pneumonia and complications from surgery.  He is interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood, California.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)